Record Players

[Joe.]

I've felt a bit bad recently that I don't give enough of my money to the artists who deserve it, so I've decided I'm going to buy more music.

Anyway, cut a long story short, I'd quite interested in buying stuff on vinyl instead of just a standard CD. Seeing as though none of my family possess an old working record player I thought I'd maybe buy a new one instead. Basically I was wondering if anybody knew of any relatively cheap ones that would be worth buying.

When I say cheap, I mean preferably under £175 if that's even possible.

[MrsJohnMurphy]

I'm a big fan of vinyl and have an older Pro-ject turntable which still sounds fantastic.

Have a look at this Pro-ject Genie 2 Turntable it looks beautiful & only £175.

[Joe.]

Oh, I should also mention that I'd like one that can be hooked up to the computer to get the tracks on there.

Also, another quick question. I know vinyls come in three different sizes (7", 10" and 12"), do all record players play them all? And what's the difference between them? Sound quality? Or just size?

[Lillehamring]

Oh, I should also mention that I'd like one that can be hooked up to the computer to get the tracks on there.

Also, another quick question. I know vinyls come in three different sizes (7", 10" and 12"), do all record players play them all? And what's the difference between them? Sound quality? Or just size?

i have a lot of vinyl, but i do not buy new stuff on vinyl (unless it's pure analog recordings), so you should be very wary about buying new stuff, it will sound good, but the thing is, stuff that is recorded for a digital medium (ie CD) will always sound better on digital playback (due to differences in Signal to noise ratio), and vice versa. no doubt people will suggest this doesn't matter, but i think it's important to at least be aware of (analog vs digital)

anyway, to answer your question, the size of the vinyl is probably less important than the speed - as a rule 7" wiil play at 45rpm, 12" at 33rpm, 10" tend to vary, depending on the amount of tracks. there is perhaps some difference in sound but i couldn't say what. most record players will have a speed selector, if it doesn't, um, probably don't buy it.

well, have fun, vinyl is awesome (CD's don't smell )

[Trav Le Bleu]

Oh, I should also mention that I'd like one that can be hooked up to the computer to get the tracks on there.

Also, another quick question. I know vinyls come in three different sizes (7", 10" and 12"), do all record players play them all? And what's the difference between them? Sound quality? Or just size?

I'm 99% sure you can get gadgets that can interface any turntable to a PC, so I shouldn't worry too much.

[Bono from U2]

I've felt a bit bad recently that I don't give enough of my money to the artists who deserve it, so I've decided I'm going to buy more music.

Anyway, cut a long story short, I'd quite interested in buying stuff on vinyl instead of just a standard CD. Seeing as though none of my family possess an old working record player I thought I'd maybe buy a new one instead. Basically I was wondering if anybody knew of any relatively cheap ones that would be worth buying.

When I say cheap, I mean preferably under £175 if that's even possible.

Dear Joe,

My friend, Mr the Edge, told me about the wonderful work you are doing in giving us poor musicians enough for the price of a cup of cold Pinot. God bless you t'be sure.

We'll be dedicating a track to you on our new album - make sure you and all your friends buy it.

Love Bono (The real Bono from U2)

[Larry Mullen, Jr.]

Dear Joe,

My friend, Mr the Edge, told me about the wonderful work you are doing in giving us poor musicians enough for the price of a cup of cold Pinot. God bless you t'be sure.

We'll be dedicating a track to you on our new album - make sure you and all your friends buy it.

Love Bono (The real Bono from U2)

Bono, you are a complete arse! th'edge meant joeyb

[Edmund]

i do not buy new stuff on vinyl (unless it's pure analog recordings)

For starters all vinyl is analogue. It is an analogue format

so you should be very wary about buying new stuff, it will sound good, but the thing is, stuff that is recorded for a digital medium (ie CD)

In fact new vinyl is much better standard of quality in terms of actual wear of the vinyl and recording. With the advances of technology and studios being able to perform next level mixes the accuracy on which the vinyl is cut has never been better.

I know older music has a feel to it but that is down to the recording itself. A lot of old beatles stuff has a nice edge due to the lack of the proper soundproofing and experimentation from George Martin.

Also stuff is not recorded for a digital medium It is mastered for a digital medium. If it is going to vinyl it then also has to be mastered especially for vinyl (analogue). If they were to use the digital master there would be a good chance that the needle would jump when trying to play the vinyl, so what you are saying is rubbish.

For starters bass has to be in mono on vinyl and most low frequencies (kick drums, sub etc). So if they blindly just used a digital master the grooves would be so small that the needle would skip.

as a rule 7" wiil play at 45rpm, 12" at 33rpm, 10" tend to vary,

There are no rules anymore. The majority of my 12" are 45 rpm not 33rpm. Usually the deciding factor on speed is the length of the track/how many tracks on one side.

People don't tend to press at 33rpm on 12" as well because it is slightly more compressed which sacrifices quality.

well, have fun, vinyl is awesome (CD's don't smell )

This I agree with. Nothing better than getting a fresh batch in and giving it a sniff straight out the factory.

Sorry Valerenga, I know your a good bloke but I just had to set the record straight

Also Joe stay clear from the record players that have usb connection. They are poorly made and are only useful for recording into your comp. Your best bet is get some hifi separates, (amp, speakers, turntable) an audio interface and record with some phono leads. Someone linked you to a Project turntable which are pretty decent and I think they come with a diamond stylus.

And last of all big up for supporting the artists. People often forget that the music they so dearly love isin't made for free.

But now you can be smug and show off to all your friends your superior collection opposed to those that download there music at a shitty bit rate from a torrent site

Enjoy

[Guest]

Bono, you are a complete arse! th'edge meant joeyb

Will you marry me?

After divorces, etc.......

[Lillehamring]

For starters all vinyl is analogue. It is an analogue format

In fact new vinyl is much better standard of quality in terms of actual wear of the vinyl and recording. With the advances of technology and studios being able to perform next level mixes the accuracy on which the vinyl is cut has never been better.

I know older music has a feel to it but that is down to the recording itself. A lot of old beatles stuff has a nice edge due to the lack of the proper soundproofing and experimentation from George Martin.

Also stuff is not recorded for a digital medium It is mastered for a digital medium. If it is going to vinyl it then also has to be mastered especially for vinyl (analogue). If they were to use the digital master there would be a good chance that the needle would jump when trying to play the vinyl, so what you are saying is rubbish.

no you are actually missing my point - i know all vinyl is analog. i did a degree in audio technology, i'm not just plucking stuff out of the air - i said an analog recording, ie a recording made on tape rather than on a computer... my point being that AAA is (for me) preferable to AAD or ADD, and that DDD is preferable to DDA (ie a vinyl product playing something from a digital source).

how can you say stuff isn't recorded for a digital medium - every recording today is intended for release on CD, a digital medium .

and as far as mixing a digital master for vinyl, of course it has to be mastered differently, that is what i'm saying, i prefer to avoid buying vinyl taken from a digital master because, as you suggest, the digital SNR is too much and has to be compromised - thus, i prefer to buy digital recordings on a digital format, pretty simple really.

[Edmund]

ie a recording made on tape rather than on a computer... my point being that AAA is (for me) preferable to AAD or ADD, and that DDD is preferable to DDA (ie a vinyl product playing something from a digital source).

Ok fair enough I completely overlooked the medium of tape. I see where you are coming from.

how can you say stuff isn't recorded for a digital medium - every recording today is intended for release on CD, a digital medium .

Not the music I buy. A lot of music is made for predominately vinyl only and what I mean is at the mastering stage the track going to acetate is the only thing in mind. Making sure levels aren't peaking into the red etc

I can sort off see what your trying to get at with the modern music which is made for cd in terms of hitting the wall. Usually a limiter is slapped on at the mastering stage and all dynamics of the track will be hitting the wall at 0db and yes this does lose all the natural dynamics but with most of todays music it is made for the club and radio. Basically it caters for your average music fan and to make sure it is loud on there ipods mp3 etc. Again that is a different argument altogether and comes down to loudness wars.

i prefer to buy digital recordings on a digital format, pretty simple really.

Well thats your choice but your missing out.

Just because a track is made on a computer it doesn't mean it will sound better on CD. Rubbish

In fact the medium of vinyl has a higher frequency range on both spectrums and if your using a decent engineer will sound ten times better than cd due to lack of compression. Thats why people like me love vinyl for the warmth of the bass and so on.

i did a degree in audio technology, i'm not just plucking stuff out of the air

That makes two of us. It's refreshing to have an audio debate.

This is a good watch about modern vinyl mastering

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[lou]

Ok fair enough I completely overlooked the medium of tape. I see where you are coming from.

Not the music I buy. A lot of music is made for predominately vinyl only and what I mean is at the mastering stage the track going to acetate is the only thing in mind. Making sure levels aren't peaking into the red etc

I can sort off see what your trying to get at with the modern music which is made for cd in terms of hitting the wall. Usually a limiter is slapped on at the mastering stage and all dynamics of the track will be hitting the wall at 0db and yes this does lose all the natural dynamics but with most of todays music it is made for the club and radio so for tyour average music fan it is loud on there ipods mp3 etc. Again that is a different argument altogether and comes down to loudness wars.

Well thats your choice but your missing out.

Just because a track is made on a computer it doesn't mean it will sound better on CD. Rubbish

In fact the medium of vinyl has a higher frequency range on both spectrums and if your using a decent engineer will sound ten times better than cd due to lack of compression. Thats why people like me love vinyl for the warmth of the bass and so on.

That makes two of us. It's refreshing to have an audio debate.

This is a good watch about modern vinyl mastering

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Bloody Audio Technology snobs! TSK

[Edmund]

Bloody Audio Technology snobs! TSK

[Lillehamring]

glad we've strightened all that out....

i think the final straw for me buying new vinyl was 'modern life is rubbish' by blur, it is almost impossibly quiet...so i just figured i'd stick with CD. i guess the music you listen to is different from everday sort of music, so it's treated differently, and i'll admit i know very little about modern vinyl driven production - everything i touch is digital

i've forgotten so much from my course, just things that i come across when recording...

[Joe.]

Might get this one, don't fancy spending too much on it to be honest. I need to invest in some better speakers for my music anyway, so it should still be alright I think.

http://www.clasohlson.co.uk/Product/Product.aspx?id=53233129

or this....

http://www.clasohlson.co.uk/Product/Produc...px?id=104376483

[Lillehamring]

Might get this one, don't fancy spending too much on it to be honest. I need to invest in some better speakers for my music anyway, so it should still be alright I think.

http://www.clasohlson.co.uk/Product/Product.aspx?id=53233129

or this....

http://www.clasohlson.co.uk/Product/Produc...px?id=104376483

wow! i didn't know you had clas ohlsen in england...

to be honest, anything that includes the phrase 'built in' is probably not worth parting with your cash for... i'm sure you can get something decent for you budget,

if you really do get into buying vinyl (it's pretty addictive) you'll probably really regret not buying a seperate turntable (tho you have to make sure you have the right kind of amp as well)

i have a wall of unplayable vinyl since my record player finally died, but i'm waiting til my budget will stretch to something that will do justice to the recordings.

[Joe.]

wow! i didn't know you had clas ohlsen in england...

to be honest, anything that includes the phrase 'built in' is probably not worth parting with your cash for... i'm sure you can get something decent for you budget,

if you really do get into buying vinyl (it's pretty addictive) you'll probably really regret not buying a seperate turntable (tho you have to make sure you have the right kind of amp as well)

i have a wall of unplayable vinyl since my record player finally died, but i'm waiting til my budget will stretch to something that will do justice to the recordings.

The 'built in amplifier' shouldn't be an issue if I bought some decent speakers for it though no? I'll probably end up collecting some older vinyl no doubt once I get myself one.

[Edmund]

Might get this one, don't fancy spending too much on it to be honest. I need to invest in some better speakers for my music anyway, so it should still be alright I think.

http://www.clasohlson.co.uk/Product/Product.aspx?id=53233129

or this....

http://www.clasohlson.co.uk/Product/Produc...px?id=104376483

Yep what Valerenga said. Don't buy an all in one you will regret it. One bit goes wrong you have to replace the lot.

Defo save up and do it properly first time round

[Edmund]

Have a look here Joe. They usually do a deal if youre buying a few bits and will price beat for you if anything you see is cheaper elsewhere.

http://www.richersounds.com/

[Joe.]

I'm a big fan of vinyl and have an older Pro-ject turntable which still sounds fantastic.

Have a look at this Pro-ject Genie 2 Turntable it looks beautiful & only £175.

http://www.richersounds.com/product/turnta...proj-rpm1-genie

£150 here mate.

Have a look here Joe. They usually do a deal if youre buying a few bits and will price beat for you if anything you see is cheaper elsewhere.

http://www.richersounds.com/

Cheers Jehst, I'll have a look.

[purpleronnie]

Vinyl is still king for me. I try and get new music on vinyl but it is hard especially pop music (my new love) I hate having to buy cd's but I have no other option. How people can just download music I have no idea...I just dont get it.

Sounds a bit sad but most 99% of my music collection is stored back in England and when I get back one of the first things I do is go through my old records, reading the sleeves playing my fave tunes, I love it, how do you sit down and reminisce about a download?

[Edmund]

Vinyl is still king for me. I try and get new music on vinyl but it is hard especially pop music (my new love) I hate having to buy cd's but I have no other option. How people can just download music I have no idea...I just dont get it.

Sounds a bit sad but most 99% of my music collection is stored back in England and when I get back one of the first things I do is go through my old records, reading the sleeves playing my fave tunes, I love it, how do you sit down and reminisce about a download?

:worship: :worship:

Not sad at all mate. It's called passion

We live in a throw away culture and I don't think people appreciate the sentiments which come with it.

[purpleronnie]

Thanks mate.

I often wonder if I was a young'un would I be the same as everyone else and download the stuff from itunes?, I hope I wouldn't.

I've never been one to reminisce, I dont really take many photographs and therefore dont really go through photo albums, but I can remember when and where I was the day I purchased Farley Jackmaster Funk's “Love Can’t Turn Around” (it was 1986 I was 11 and had saved up my pocket money).

I remember buying fools gold by the stone roses and as I ran home with it it fell out my bag and got scratched.

I remember hearing Alive by pearl jam and searching about 10 record shops travelling by bus until I found one who sold the single on vinyl, not knowing that 17 years later they still are going strong and I still love them (seing them in 2 months live)....I dont know maybe in 25 years time the youngsters of today will sit on the floor with their Ipods and reminisce about the same things..somehow I doubt it though. Which will be sad. Things move on, things change I understand that and its a good thing, but as far as vinyl v's Download, surely theres only one winner.

[Edmund]

Thanks mate.

I often wonder if I was a young'un would I be the same as everyone else and download the stuff from itunes?, I hope I wouldn't.

I've never been one to reminisce, I dont really take many photographs and therefore dont really go through photo albums, but I can remember when and where I was the day I purchased Farley Jackmaster Funk's “Love Can’t Turn Around” (it was 1986 I was 11 and had saved up my pocket money).

I remember buying fools gold by the stone roses and as I ran home with it it fell out my bag and got scratched.

I remember hearing Alive by pearl jam and searching about 10 record shops travelling by bus until I found one who sold the single on vinyl, not knowing that 17 years later they still are going strong and I still love them (seing them in 2 months live)....I dont know maybe in 25 years time the youngsters of today will sit on the floor with their Ipods and reminisce about the same things..somehow I doubt it though. Which will be sad. Things move on, things change I understand that and its a good thing, but as far as vinyl v's Download, surely theres only one winner.

Quality.

Yep agree about the whole download thing but that's just how the music scene is and is the accepted way. Ive got nothing against cd's or mp3's(320kbs or higher) but the stuff im really into I will get on vinyl. The only main drawback with vinyl is the cost. But is worth it.

Even today I complain about buying vinyl over the web opposed to going into the shop and listening to tunes and getting recommendations from the staff. It's just not as fun and I use to love coming home going through my new vinyl on the bus but now they have all closed down.

Not sure if you know http://www.discogs.com/

Type in any release and it will search through it's database of records. Usually tells you the average value of your tunes and how rare it is in terms of how many members of the site have got it in there collection.

I painstakingly went through the trouble of cataloging my whole collection. Took me ages little by little but it is rewarding afterwards as it saves as an excel sheet with all your vinyl cataloged in order.

[Lillehamring]

Have a look here Joe. They usually do a deal if youre buying a few bits and will price beat for you if anything you see is cheaper elsewhere.

http://www.richersounds.com/

most of these places will give you a deal if you ask - i got 20-30% off speakers and an amp at leicester hi-fi co.... and that was before all this recession stuff.

good luck, i wish i was buying one, but doubt i'll get one this year